11 militants killed in Zabul airstrike

QALAT (PAN): Eleven militants were killed in an airstrike by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the Shahr Safa district of southern Zabul province, officials said on Friday.

The overnight raid was conducted in an area between Malezo and Khatunak villages north of the district centre, where the Taliban were meeting to plan attacks on security posts.

District chief Khadi Khan told Pajhwok Afghan News they shared intelligence about the meeting with foreign forces, who attacked the 14 members group, killing 11 and arresting two others.

Security forces had recovered arms and ammunitions, as well as five motorcycles, from the scene, Khan said, giving no further details of the incident.

According to resident Nazir Ahmad, ISAF soldiers heavily bombarded the area. Since security forces cordon off the site, he had no information about the causalities.

The multinational force, meanwhile, confirmed the operation in a brief statement that gave no specific casualty figures.